Manure

Our trip this past weekend was redolent of the past; travel through farm states across the nation; but mostly in the Midwest where dairy herds, hogs and sheep graze the land. They deposit rich reminders of their diet along the way. In small feed yards and barns they deposit even more. Gathering the produce and loading it into the manure spreader, the farmer distributes the load on farm fields in preparation of new crops.

The smell is rich to say the least! Pungent is more like it. After a few miles of country lanes the odor remains in the nostrils. Redolent indeed!

When we pulled into our garage after 400 miles I could swear we had brought parts of Illinois and Wisconsin with us. Perhaps it coated the underside of the van? Whatever its cause it took nearly 24 hours to cleanse sense of smell.

But alas in our absence the landscaping crew spread fresh mulch on flower beds and tree rings. In moist spring air the aroma was nigh to the farm fresh redolence we had just visited.

What is it about rotting matter that attracts its use? Surely not its smell!

No; it is the nitrogen rich decaying material that invigorates soil for fresh strong growth of lawns, crops, trees, shrubs and flowers. All the harbingers of spring. It’s just that I don’t associate spring with manure! Perhaps that is a convenient lapse? Manure is what it is; it does what it does best. And we use it year after year.

It makes me think of other matter we discard willingly. Not for reuse but for trash. And what becomes of it?

Our mini trip this past weekend demonstrated what artists do with trash. They weld it, paint it, reuse it or re-purpose it. It is for decoration, too. It also stimulates thoughts and feelings. From trash to art. That’s a good thing.

Of course we are often reminded what not to do with certain trash. The rubbish we toss out each week is separated into two parts: garbage and recycled waste. Plastics, paper and glass are processed for new use. And electronics are culled and sent to special processors where the toxins of their manufacture are safely disposed of or reused in new manufacture of similar products.

Our environment is seemingly on the perpetual edge of poisoning by our own use of its treasures. Indiscriminate use is not the primary problem; it is the indiscriminate disposal that is.

In light of Earth Day of recent celebration we are well reminded to use our earth given gifts wisely and even more wisely dispose of their leavings. On the one hand it protects the mother lode of minerals while on the other hand it enriches what we take for granted.

Use well; dispose well. Manure comes in many shapes, sizes – and smells!

April 30, 2013